Tilted Arc

Description

Material: Steel

Removed after a lengthy and very public battle and court case pitting Richard Serra against the GSA over artists rights to their installed 'site-specific' works.

A controversy developed over the artwork by Richard Serra commissioned for the plaza in front of the building, Tilted Arc. Commissioned in 1979 and built in 1981, it was criticized both for its aesthetic values and for security reasons. It was removed in 1989, which resulted in a lawsuit and a trial. The piece remains in storage, as the artwork was site-specific, and the artist does not want it displayed in any other location. The removal and trial led to the creation of the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990.

Installed, 1981

Removed, Mar 15, 1989

1989 - Removed

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1989 - Removed - Images

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Removing Tilted Arc, 15 March 1989

1981 - Installed

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1981 - Installed - Images

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Massive public sculpture installed outside government buildings in Federal Plaza

View of Federal Plaza showing the length of Tilted Arc

Serra spent two years planning it, believing the work would be a permanent addition to this busy area of the city.

View of Federal Plaza with Tilted Arc seen from the side

Tracing a subtle arc over its length and leaned slightly to one side

The sculpture was met with negative reaction

Cut into three parts, Tilted Arc – or, rather, what remains of it – were stored in a warehouse.

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